By the time the Astros and Braves take the Minute Maid field on Sunday, they could easily be the only two teams left playing in the Elite Eight first round of baseball’s playoffs.

St. Louis could finish its series with a sweep over San Diego on Saturday.

The White Sox put away the Red Sox on Friday night, sweeping the first three games.

And the Yankees and Angels also play a couple of times before Sunday, giving either the opportunity to win their series.

With that in mind — especially the possibility of a St. Louis sweep — the Astros need to put away Atlanta with wins Saturday and Sunday with packed home crowds leading the way. This team, however, likes to do it the hard way, so the Astros and Braves could also be the only teams left playing the first round on Monday.

Pitching is the Astros’ bread and butter, so winning Saturday and Sunday allows an extra day of rest and sets up the Houston rotation for the NLDS.

But let’s don’t get ahead of ourselves. The Astros are in a 1-1 series tie at this point and still have the edge. To say that the load is on Roy Oswalt and Brandon Backe is misleading if not absolutely off the mark.

Phil Garner has to make some things happen with his lineup and the Astros’ hitters have to execute early and often in game situations. With runners in scoring position, the team has to be selective but aggressive. Willy Taveras has to run more; after all, speed is the reason he’s the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year. Lance Berkman and Morgan Ensberg have to be consistent.

As often as Garner changes his lineup, look for some more changes Saturday. Do I know Phil? Have I spoken to anyone who knows Phil? Nope, just a guess as he attempts to get the jump start at Minute Maid. Mike Lamb has to get back in the lineup. After all, wasn’t it Garner who said that Lamb would have to hit if this team was going to win? And Lamb hasn’t even picked up a bat in the post season! Huh?

Roy O. can do his part and Backe can revive memories of his post season contribution from 2004. But if the bats and legs don’t wake up, the Astros and Braves may have one big national audience on Monday.